Hamilton says Mercedes rivalry was worse than Leclerc clash at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton has said that tensions at Mercedes were "way worse" than the current situation with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. The pair ran off the circuit during a tense race in Mexico City after Leclerc attacked Hamilton for the lead on the opening lap, allowing Max Verstappen and Red Bull to take the victory.

Hamilton said he had endured difficult periods with team-mates before, including with Fernando Alonso at McLaren and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes. He described the rivalry with Rosberg as far more torturous than his clash with Leclerc, and said Mercedes had managed the situation well.

Hamilton called Leclerc's move "unnecessary", saying he was in the lead and that a one-two finish would have been huge for Ferrari. Leclerc was handed a five-second time penalty for gaining an advantage illegally.